THE north-east’s former chief fire officer is taking his former employer to a tribunal amid allegations of age discrimination.
David Dalziel, 62, has launched the “substantial” claim, seeking thousands of pounds, after being rejected for the first chief officer’s job for Scotland’s new single fire service.
He was also turned down for a number of key roles within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, which went live on April 1.
At the tribunal, due to be heard in Aberdeen next month, he will claim he missed out on the top positions because of his age and that he was forced to resign from the service as a result.
Mr Dalziel, of Westhill, led the former Grampian Fire and Rescue Service as chief fire officer from 2005.
He racked up more than 44 years of service across Scotland during his successful career.
Paul Lefevre, of Quantum Claims, which is acting on the former chief’s behalf, said: “Mr Dalziel had about 44 years service with the fire service and had reached the highest position you can reach within Aberdeen.
“If successful, the compensation in this case could be substantial.
“Our position is that he was not considered for any substantive role within the new organisation and that was related to his age.
“Following events of the selection process, his position was made untenable.”
Mr Dalziel currently advises the UK Government as a consultant on emergency planning and crisis management.
He was, on occasion, an outspoken critic of issues facing the service.
In March, just days before Scotland’s eight fire services were disbanded, Mr Dalziel raised concerns that the merger to a single service had been rushed.
He said that six more months of planning would have been “ideal” to ensure stability within the new organisation.
Mr Dalziel spoke of a “closeness” among Grampian colleagues and his concerns that the support network would be lost within the new organisation.
In 2010, he also clashed with the Scottish Government over the installation of a £40million communications system for fire vehicles.
Mr Dalziel had blocked the fitting of the system in the 24 private cars of senior managers on the grounds that the equipment is not hands-free.
He lost out on the top job at the single force to Alasdair Hay, who formerly led firefighters in Tayside.
Mr Dalziel, who holds the Queens Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service (QFSM) for his contribution to international training, firefighter safety and incident command, has also had a significant role in the Better Together campaign against Scottish Independence.
His claim for age discrimination and constructive dismissal against the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be heard at a five-day employment tribunal in Aberdeen from December 2.